# Is there now, or has there ever been, a truck that weighs less than 3/4 ton? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [January 31, 2006, 2:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-now-or-has-there-ever-been-a-truck-that-weighs-less-than-3-4-ton/342342 "2006-01-31T14:14:27Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Emilio\_Lizardo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/898d66/32.png) [@Emilio\_Lizardo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Emilio_Lizardo)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2006, 2:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-now-or-has-there-ever-been-a-truck-that-weighs-less-than-3-4-ton/342342/1 "2006-01-31T14:14:27Z")
On some of the smaller streets in my neighborhood, there are signs reading “No thru trucks over 3/4 ton GVW.” I can’t even think of many CARS that are under 3/4 ton GVW (maybe a Triumph Spitfire, or the like.) I understand that “truck” is a legal designation, but any vehicle that small is a rarity. Was there ever such a thing as a truck that small, or is this simply an end-run around some law or another that prevents prohibiting ALL trucks. ---
**Author:** ![Labdad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/439d5e/32.png) [@Labdad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Labdad)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2006, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-now-or-has-there-ever-been-a-truck-that-weighs-less-than-3-4-ton/342342/2 "2006-01-31T14:23:05Z")
From [this site:](http://trucks.about.com/cs/usedadvice/a/load_capacity.htm) Basic Pickup Truck Load Guidelines I’m sure you’ve heard different models of pickups referred to as half-ton, three-quarter-ton, and one-ton vehicles. All three terms refer to pickup truck load capacity. For instance, a half ton truck’s springs, chassis, and bed are designed to safely carry a maximum of 1000 pounds, or one-half of a ton. ---
**Author:** ![Enola\_Straight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/dec6dc/32.png) [@Enola\_Straight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enola_Straight)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2006, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-now-or-has-there-ever-been-a-truck-that-weighs-less-than-3-4-ton/342342/3 "2006-01-31T14:23:17Z")
The lightest truck I can think of is the Suzuki Samurai, with a curb weight of 2094 lbs…closer to 1 ton than 3/4. ---
**Author:** ![AskNott](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asknott/32/5790_2.png) [@AskNott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AskNott)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2006, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-now-or-has-there-ever-been-a-truck-that-weighs-less-than-3-4-ton/342342/4 "2006-01-31T14:31:48Z")
It’s a stretch to think of the old Cushman Truckster as a real truck, but it does fit your boundary. I agree that those signs are preposterous. ---
**Author:** ![robby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robby/32/11048_2.png) [@robby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robby)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2006, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-now-or-has-there-ever-been-a-truck-that-weighs-less-than-3-4-ton/342342/5 "2006-01-31T14:36:22Z")
> [@Labdad](#): > > …I’m sure you’ve heard different models of pickups referred to as half-ton, three-quarter-ton, and one-ton vehicles. All three terms refer to pickup truck load capacity. For instance, a half ton truck’s springs, chassis, and bed are designed to safely carry a maximum of 1000 pounds, or one-half of a ton. The only problem with this argument is that the sign says “3/4 ton GVW”, where “GVW” means “gross vehicle weight.” GVW includes the weight of the vehicle itself, not just the payload. I’ll bet the most likely explanation is that the intent was to prohibit vehicles with a load greater than 3/4 ton, but that something got screwed up in the process of creating the signs. There’s a sign near me that says, “Ped Xing Next .2 of Mile.” :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2006, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-now-or-has-there-ever-been-a-truck-that-weighs-less-than-3-4-ton/342342/6 "2006-01-31T15:12:08Z")
Maybe it’s a Tonka-only thruway. ---
**Author:** ![scr4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/59ef9b/32.png) [@scr4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scr4)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2006, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-now-or-has-there-ever-been-a-truck-that-weighs-less-than-3-4-ton/342342/7 "2006-01-31T15:54:45Z")
The [Daihatsu Hjiet Truck](http://www.daihatsu.co.jp/showroom/lineup/truck/index.htm) weighs 720 kg. I don’t know if they’re street legal in the US though, I’ve only seen them used by campus security guards. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Blue_Sky)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2006, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-now-or-has-there-ever-been-a-truck-that-weighs-less-than-3-4-ton/342342/8 "2006-01-31T16:21:25Z")
Back in the 70s, Chevrolet sold a light truck called the [LUV (light utility vehicle)](http://mclellansautomotive.com/photos/B28197.jpg) and the jingle went, “Chevy half-ton LUV”. I believe the truck was actually manufactured by Mazda. ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2006, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-now-or-has-there-ever-been-a-truck-that-weighs-less-than-3-4-ton/342342/9 "2006-01-31T16:31:10Z")
The Post Office, back in the days before it was the USPS and I worked for them, had several types of delivery vehicles with right hand drive for mail delivery into rural (street) boxes. These were called half-ton, three-quarter ton, and one-ton. (Or something similar - it’s been 30 years.) I’ve never seen the signs the OP talks about, but specialty vehicles abound. ---
**Author:** ![Enola\_Straight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/dec6dc/32.png) [@Enola\_Straight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enola_Straight)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2006, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-now-or-has-there-ever-been-a-truck-that-weighs-less-than-3-4-ton/342342/10 "2006-01-31T16:37:32Z")
> [@Mr. Blue Sky](#): > > Back in the 70s, Chevrolet sold a light truck called the [LUV (light utility vehicle)](http://mclellansautomotive.com/photos/B28197.jpg) and the jingle went, “Chevy half-ton LUV”. I believe the truck was actually manufactured by Mazda. No, Isuzu made it for Chevy along with its own version, the P’up. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2006, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-now-or-has-there-ever-been-a-truck-that-weighs-less-than-3-4-ton/342342/11 "2006-01-31T16:37:53Z")
> [@Labdad](#): > > I’m sure you’ve heard different models of pickups referred to as half-ton, three-quarter-ton, and one-ton vehicles. All three terms refer to pickup truck load capacity. For instance, a half ton truck’s springs, chassis, and bed are designed to safely carry a maximum of 1000 pounds, or one-half of a ton. The Willys MB (your basic military jeep of WWII) was classified as a ‘1/4 ton truck’. But the ‘GVW’ on the sign is confusing. Sounds like a mistake, as **robby** says. ---
**Author:** ![Labdad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/439d5e/32.png) [@Labdad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Labdad)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2006, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-now-or-has-there-ever-been-a-truck-that-weighs-less-than-3-4-ton/342342/12 "2006-01-31T16:52:08Z")
> [@robby](#): > > I’ll bet the most likely explanation is that the intent was to prohibit vehicles with a load greater than 3/4 ton, but that something got screwed up in the process of creating the signs. I’m sure you’re right about the sign getting screwed up in its creation, although I suspect what they’re trying to do is keep anything bigger than a 3/4 ton pickup from driving through the neighborhood, whether it’s loaded or unloaded. But you’re right - whatever it is they were trying to do, adding “GVW” on the sign reduces it to gibberish! ---
**Author:** ![FatBaldGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ecd19e/32.png) [@FatBaldGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FatBaldGuy)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2006, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-now-or-has-there-ever-been-a-truck-that-weighs-less-than-3-4-ton/342342/13 "2006-01-31T18:09:42Z")
As others have said, the auto manufacturers don’t generally speak of 1/2 ton, 3/4 ton, etc. anymore, but the distinctions are still there. Ford uses the model numbers F-150, F-250 and F-350 for their 1/2 ton, 3/4 ton and 1 ton trucks respectively. Chevy/GMC and Dodge/Chrysler use 1500, 2500 and 3500. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2006, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-now-or-has-there-ever-been-a-truck-that-weighs-less-than-3-4-ton/342342/14 "2006-01-31T19:03:53Z")
I know that during last year’s Super Bowl, there were ads for some new pickup truck that was so BIG, it weighed OVER A FULL TON!. The implication is that there exists a car company which didn’t take it for granted that a pickup would weigh over a ton. I believe it was a Japanese company; I can’t imagine any American company taking “small” for granted. ---
**Author:** ![LiveOnAPlane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/3d9bf3/32.png) [@LiveOnAPlane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LiveOnAPlane)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2006, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-now-or-has-there-ever-been-a-truck-that-weighs-less-than-3-4-ton/342342/15 "2006-01-31T20:38:46Z")
> [@Labdad](#): > > I’m sure you’re right about the sign getting screwed up in its creation, although I suspect what they’re trying to do is keep anything bigger than a 3/4 ton pickup from driving through the neighborhood, whether it’s loaded or unloaded. > > But you’re right - whatever it is they were trying to do, adding “GVW” on the sign reduces it to gibberish! And from the other side, that of too much simplification: Where I’m at right now, every day coming to the hotel from work, I go by a restaurant with a sign at the parking lot entrance that just says “No Trucks.” Everybody knows they’re talking about BIG trucks, 18-wheelers, maybe dump trucks, etc., but I can’t help but chuckle every day I go by it and see all the pickup trucks parked there! ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2006, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-now-or-has-there-ever-been-a-truck-that-weighs-less-than-3-4-ton/342342/16 "2006-01-31T21:17:00Z")
The Chrysler PT Cruiser, on a Neon platform, is still officially a [truck](http://www.autofieldguide.com/driven/0702dri09.html) in terms of EPA mileage rating categories. ---
**Author:** ![AskNott](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asknott/32/5790_2.png) [@AskNott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AskNott)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2006, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-now-or-has-there-ever-been-a-truck-that-weighs-less-than-3-4-ton/342342/17 "2006-01-31T21:27:56Z")
**Chronos,** I’ve seen pictures of a pickup so big, it’s boggling. They took a truck that would ordinarily be the front end of an 18-wheeler, but instead of a big greasy hitch, they dropped on a pickup bed. It is built on one of the regular big-truck brands (such as Peterbilt,) but I don’t remember which one. I don’t know who needs such an absurdly oversized pickup, but they claim to be selling more than they expected. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![LiveOnAPlane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/3d9bf3/32.png) [@LiveOnAPlane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LiveOnAPlane)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2006, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-now-or-has-there-ever-been-a-truck-that-weighs-less-than-3-4-ton/342342/18 "2006-01-31T22:10:40Z")
> [@AskNott](#): > > **Chronos,** I’ve seen pictures of a pickup so big, it’s boggling. They took a truck that would ordinarily be the front end of an 18-wheeler, but instead of a big greasy hitch, they dropped on a pickup bed. It is built on one of the regular big-truck brands (such as Peterbilt,) but I don’t remember which one. I don’t know who needs such an absurdly oversized pickup, but they claim to be selling more than they expected. :rolleyes: It’s all about braggin’ rights. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![scr4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/59ef9b/32.png) [@scr4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scr4)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2006, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-now-or-has-there-ever-been-a-truck-that-weighs-less-than-3-4-ton/342342/19 "2006-01-31T22:21:17Z")
> [@AskNott](#): > > **Chronos,** I’ve seen pictures of a pickup so big, it’s boggling. They took a truck that would ordinarily be the front end of an 18-wheeler, but instead of a big greasy hitch, they dropped on a pickup bed. Are you talking about the [International CXT](http://www.internationaldelivers.com/site_layout/XTFamily/cxt.asp)? ---
**Author:** ![yabob](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yabob/32/2821_2.png) [@yabob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yabob)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2006, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-now-or-has-there-ever-been-a-truck-that-weighs-less-than-3-4-ton/342342/20 "2006-01-31T22:37:02Z")
> [@Mr. Blue Sky](#): > > Back in the 70s, Chevrolet sold a light truck called the [LUV (light utility vehicle)](http://mclellansautomotive.com/photos/B28197.jpg) and the jingle went, “Chevy half-ton LUV”. I believe the truck was actually manufactured by Mazda. Ford had a direct competitor to it called the Courier. THAT was made by Mazda - as mentioned, the LUV was made by Isuzu. It appears that Ford still uses that model name overseas for a normal sized pickup truck. The Ford Courier and Chevy LUV in the 70’s were both teensy little pickup trucks. Searching around, I find that the LUV had a wheelbase of 102", 14" wheels and a 1400 lb. payload. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-now-or-has-there-ever-been-a-truck-that-weighs-less-than-3-4-ton/342342.md?page=2)